Suspension of Manipur’s medical officer evokes strong reactions

Local MLA and former health minister Dr. Amo calls for cancellation of suspension order against Dr. Jire

Exclusive report with inputs from El Fimate

Sielmat (zoramobserver.com): Miscommunication among the top health officials have put Chief Minister Biren Singh’s government in an embarrassing situation after a Medical Officer posted at Senvon was suspended allegedly for “not attending to her duties” at Henglep.

On July 29, Dr, Jire Pudaite was suspended by the government for “not joining at her new place of posting at PHC Senvon” and for “non-compliance” of another order which posted her to Henglep.

Chief Minister Biren Singh also made the announcement on Facebook announcing the suspension of two doctors on July 29. “Held emergency meeting with my ministers and officials to review the situation of Japanese Encephalitis and Dengue prevalent in the State particularly at CCpur. Sending medical team of 30 personnel along with 15 doctors tomorrow .Two Dr suspended for not joining for duty to Henglep PHC CCpur,” he wrote on his official Facebook page.

Here’s the story:

On July 13, 2017, Dr. Jire, serving as MO in Saikot PHC, was directed by the Directorate of Medical and Health Service to report to Henglep PHC on a temporary basis “in view of the exigency of doctors” in the wake of an outbreak of a disease. Dr. Jire immediately reported for work and this record is available with the CMO of Churachandpur.

Strangely, in a matter of two days, on July 15, 2017, another order (this time from the Secretariat, Health Department) issued in the name of the Governor, transferred Dr. Jire to PHC Senvon. She also submitted a joining report for her new posting.

Incidentally, Dr. Jire reported for work at Henglep and was attending to the sick. After getting to know that she has being transferred to Senvon PHC, she returned to Churachandpur only to be greeted with a third government order – suspending her over charges of dereliction of her duty. As far as as not going to Senvon PHC, Dr. Jire was still attending the sick and needy at Henglep with the instructions of CMO Churachandpur. The doctor simply can’t be in two places at the same time.

Suspended for doing her work? Dr. Jire Pudaite treating the sick at Henglep village on July 29, 2017 – a day she was suspended from work. She was actually at Henglep on the instructions of the top health officials.

Besides, being the nodal officer for NPPCD, she was preparing for the upcoming IEC school programmes to be carried out from August 2. “These programmes were all approved by the Deputy Commissioner of Churachandpur and the CMOs,” Dr. Jire told zoramobserver.com.

Local MLA backs Dr. Jire

Former health minister and Tipaimukh MLA Dr. Chaltonlien Amo today took up the issue of Dr. Jire’s suspension in the Manipur Assembly terming it a “gross mistake” on the part of the health officials.

“Even the DCs and CMOs of the two districts were aware of Dr. Jire’s works and her postings. She joined both Henglep and Senvon PHCs… I’m aware of it. The suspension should be cancelled immediately and the mistake admitted to the concerned doctor,” he said, adding the details of Dr. Jire’s transfer dates from Saikot PHC to Henglep PHC and to Senvon PHC.

Civil society leaders also call for cancellation of suspension order

Civil society leaders also called for cancellation of the suspension order against Dr. Jire. Hmar Youth Association president Laldawnlien Varte has termed the suspension order a clear case of “miscommunication”. “I myself as a philanthropic leader coordinate the medical staff in helping those patients and Dr. Jire is one of the most dedicated doctors who rendered her service selflessly. Higher authorities should admit their big mistake in wrongly taking action against Dr Jire and cancel her suspension order immediately. I can show eyewitness and proof of her service to Henglep patients in a volume,” Mr. Varte wrote in reply to Chief Minister Biren Singh’s Facebook post where he announced the suspension of Dr. Jire with another doctor.

While the public is facing hardship due to the absence of errant doctors and teachers in rural areas, the government’s decision to suspend a doctor who was actually doing her job has evoked strong reactions for the public. “The decision of the government to place Dr. Jire under suspension shows that there is a clear miscommunication among CMO of Churachandpur and the CMO of Pherzawl districts,” writes Lrs Puruolte, another social activist on Facebook.

Dr. Jire, who is also the District Nodal Officer in-charge of deafness control programme, is currently ordered to stay put at the district headquarters in Churachandpur until further notice.

AUGUST 1, 2017:

Factual Report by CMOs of Churachandpur and Pherzawl districts.

The factual report by the district health officials on August 1, 2017.

The factual report by the district health officials on August 1, 2017.